New Broncos coach John Fox talks to reporters outside the employee parking lot Thursday night at Dove Valley. Fox came to Denver on Wednesday and passed the interview process, which was more “thorough” than that used to hire Josh McDaniels.

Having just conducted their second search for a head coach in the past two years, the Broncos did more digging this time and believe they improved their chances of success.

“Well, the last time was pretty fresh in everybody’s memory since it was only two years ago, so it’s not necessarily a great thing to feel as if we had more information this time through it,” Broncos president Joe Ellis said. “But I think we were more thorough, perhaps, and more prepared. In the end we believe there were a series of great interviews that led us to the conclusion.

“And John Fox just emerged as the complete candidate.”

He emerged in the wake of Josh McDaniels’ failed 28-game tenure as head coach after navigating a process that was different in many ways from the one that resulted in McDaniels’ hire.

The biggest change was the involvement of what Ellis termed “a psychologist/headhunter” in the team’s interviews. The goal was to “get underneath” the candidates, to see how they would function in the team’s current structure with John Elway as the top football executive, and how they would react to certain situations that are likely to arise.

The Broncos used a consultant whom the Falcons and Chiefs used in their recent searches for a head coach.

“It was beneficial to have a psychologist/headhunter who had done this kind of search and interview process before, specifically (in) professional sports.

“He was really able to guide all of us, and extract a lot of good information about a candidate’s makeup and personal character.”

The Broncos’ search committee — Ellis, Elway, team owner Pat Bowlen and general manager Brian Xanders — started with a broad list of candidates before choosing eight to be interviewed.

The top candidates

Those who interviewed for the job:

Eric Studesville, running backs coach/interim head coach: Interviewed Sunday. Was team’s interim head coach over last four games, going 1-3. Players said his demeanor and approach in such a difficult time should be commended.

Perry Fewell, New York Giants defensive coordinator: Interviewed Sunday. Fewell went 3-4 as the Buffalo Bills’ interim head coach to close out the 2009 season and just finished his first year as the N.Y. Giants’ defensive coordinator.

Rick Dennison, Houston Texans offensive coordinator: Interviewed Tuesday. Spent 24 years as a player and assistant coach with the Broncos. Texans running back Arian Foster was league’s rushing champion (1,616 yards) this past season with Dennison calling plays for the team.

Dirk Koetter, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator: Interviewed Tuesday. Former Arizona State head coach has been a Jaguars’ assistant for four seasons. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew topped 1,300 yards rushing in two of those years.

John Fox, former Carolina Panthers head coach: Interviewed Wednesday. Got the job on the heels of his 73-71 record at Carolina, including three division titles and a Super Bowl trip. Took over a Panthers team in 2002 that had finished 1-15 the year before.

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